Durga Utsav is celebrated in the month of Sept/Oct all over the world. This is a four day Indian festival celebrated mainly by the Bengalis. The size and scale of the celebration depends on the size of the community. Here in Northern California, there used to be only one about 20 years back. As the community grew, the number of events also increased. Today there are about a dozen celebration. A very colorful event where everyone is traditionally attired to look their best. Visiting grandparents and relatives get a feel of the festivities at home during this time. You will find girls, irrespective of their age, donning new dresses every day. Wearing a new dress on every day of the event is the custom. Hardly applicable to the boys, but the girls do tend to follow it. You get to see a lot of cultural programs performed by local talents. The Durga Utsav provides a platform, where kids can perform and also get a good exposure to their culture.
A few non-profit organizations are celebrating this event in Fremont, California in the month of September and October.
Sanskriti
Event Date: Sept 28 2019 and Sept 29 2019
Web: https://www.sanskriti.org
Location: N
have started to enjoy our Joyrides as it looks like this will be the new normal. Exploring new places in our local area actually is lot of fun. The places which I always used to think were very boring are actually very interesting. Sunol canyon drive This is a fantastic loop along Niles Canyon, Alameda creek, Sunol Regional Wilderness Sunol Regional Wilderness is just minutes away from Pleasanton and is one of the most gorgeous areas to explore in the Tri-Valley. While this park is a pleasure to visit year-round, it becomes one of the best places in the Bay Area to view sprawling wildflower blooms during spring and summer months. Giant heaps of boulders at the base of Alameda Creek form what’s known as Little Yosemite, a scenic gorge complete with small waterfalls and pools at the end of a 2 mile trek into the park.
I have started to enjoy our Joyrides as it looks like this will be the new normal. Exploring new places in our local area actually is lot of fun. The places which I always used to think were very boring are actually very interesting. Sunol canyon drive This is a fantastic loop along Niles Canyon, Alameda creek, Sunol Regional Wilderness Sunol Regional Wilderness is just minutes away from Pleasanton and is one of the most gorgeous areas to explore in the Tri-Valley. While this park is a pleasure to visit year-round, it becomes one of the best places in the Bay Area to view sprawling wildflower blooms during spring and summer months. Giant heaps of boulders at the base of Alameda Creek form what’s known as Little Yosemite, a scenic gorge complete with small waterfalls and pools at the end of a 2 mile trek into the park.
Sanskriti always celebrates this event over the weekends. This event normally kicks off the festive season. This is one of the oldest and it is quite famous for its innovative decoration every year. This year it’s decoration is based on the architecture of Konarak Sun Temple (an ancient historical site in India). The event is also very popular because of it’s community cultural programs and the awesome stalls selling Indian handicrafts. They provide a good platform for the young kids to showcase their talents through the cultural program. I have always had a soft corner for this event. I have grown up performing in the cultural program for so many years. My mom has been an active volunteer in the decorations team from the very first year of this event. Lot of my childhood memories are wrapped around this event.
♿️Accessibility ♿️
- The event site is very accessible with many ADA parking.
- There are some extra parking spots
- The auditorium where the cultural event is held is also very accessible and spacious.
- Special arrangements are available for the Seniors.
- Restroom (including accessible ones) is available inside the auditorium
Silicon Valley Sarbojonin Durgotsav
Event Date: Sept 28th 10 am – Sept 29th 9pm 2019
Web: https://www.facebook.com/events/resham-event-center/silicon-valley-sarbojonin-durgotsav/1625631467564631/
Location:Resham Event Center, 3101 Walnut Ave, Fremont, CA
This is a new event celebrating only in its third year and adding to the number of event’s in Bay Area. The organizers are very welcoming and makes the participants feel cozy and comfortable.
♿️Accessibility ♿️
- This event center is completely wheelchair accessible.
- It is very close to the Fremont Bart Station in case you are coming from city
- The stage for the performance is also accessible.
- The restroom is inside the auditorium
Festival of Globe – Bengal
Event Date: Oct 4th – Oct 8th 2019
Web: https://www.facebook.com/FOGBengal/
Location: 3676 Delaware drive, Fremont, CA
FOG Event is relatively new. This event is done on a very small scale. However, it tends to attract a large crowd as the venue for the event is the Fremont Hindu Temple.
♿️Accessibility ♿️
- Only three accessible Parking is available. You really need to be lucky to get one of them.
- The temple is small and is not quite capable of handling large crowd.
- Only a couple of ADA parking is available and most of the parkings are on the streets
- There is a restroom inside the campus
Bengal Club of Bay Area
Event Date: Oct 13 11am onwards
Web: https://www.bengal-club.com
Location: India Community Center, 525 Los Coches St, Milpitas, CA
This event is celebrating its second year .The speciality of this event is that it is only for one day. A one day event of festivities, Cultural programs, sumptuous food and sweets.
♿️Accessibility ♿️
- This site is fully accessible as it is inside the India community center.
- There are accessible parking in the center.
- Incase of parking shortage, you can also park in the available parking spots on the opposite side of the road.
- Restroom is available inside the Community Center.
Pashchimi
This is the most popular Durga Puja. As a result, it gets very crowded. In fact, it gets so crowded that at times it becomes a safety issue. This puja follows the real Hindu Calendar and celebrates it on the actual days. Most vendors setup stalls here to take advantage of the large crowd. General parking is available but not very close to the site.
♿️Accessibility ♿️
- Do not forget to bring the blue parking placard (ADA).
- There is a security personnel who will let you park in the Blue reserved spot if you show the Blue Badge.
- If you are in a wheelchair or any type of mobility device, then you will need to use the ramp available next to the reserved parking.
Event Date: Oct 3, 2019 to Oct 7, 2019
Web: http://www.pashchimi.org/
Address: Unify Event Center, 765 Story Road, San Jose, CA
Prabasi
Prabasi is the oldest puja in the Bay Area. It is also celebrated in the weekends. SF Bay Area old timers always make it a point to visit this one. They also host cultural programs with local and international talents. Here you will find many stalls selling jewelry and ethnic dresses. There are many food stalls too.
♿️Accessibility ♿️
- Parking is far and difficult.
- Handicapped parking is available on Tully road entrance. But even that spot is not very close to the actual event. Proceed to Gate B for Accessible parking.
- The other option is a harder option and is not a very definite option. While entering the fairground, there is a gate that is guarded by security personnel. If you can convince them to let you drive close to the actual event and park there. This works sometimes, but may not work too.
Event Date: Oct 4, 2019 to Oct 6, 2019
Web: http://www.prabasi.org
Address: Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Road, San Jose, CA
Agomoni
Agomoni is the one of the Newest puja in the Area. It is also celebrated in the weekends.They are also famous for there decoration and homely event.
♿️Accessibility ♿️
- Accessible Parking is easy because the venue is near a Senior Center.
- The entire venue is easily accessible.
Event Date: Oct 4, 2019 to Oct 6, 2019
Web:https://agomoni.org/
Address: San Ramon Central Park, 12501 Alcosta Blvd, San Ramon, CA
BayArea Durgotsav, Santa Clara
Women’s Now puja is relatively new. It is celebrated on actual days. This puja has a modern flavor. They specialize in providing authentic Kolkata Backdrop for clicking pictures.
♿️Accessibility ♿️
- Accessible Parking is easy.
- There are a few accessible parking in front of Elk Lodge.
Event Date: Oct 4, 2019 to Oct 7, 2019
Web:https://www.facebook.com/pg/womennowdurgautsav/
Address: Elks Lodge, 1680 Martin Avenue, Santa Clara, CA
Bay Basi
This Puja is not as old as Prabasi and Sanskriti but fairly old organization. The decoration is quite unique although does not change much over the years. The members are a tight knit community in the Peninsula region of the SF Bay Area. They also have a Dandiya night on one of the Puja days. The cultural programs are efforts mainly from the members of the community.
♿️Accessibility ♿️
- This event is held inside a school campus.
- As such the accessibility is not an issue
Event Date: Oct 11- Oct 13 , 2019
Web: http://baybasi.org/
Address: Brewer Island Elementary School, Foster City, CA
BayArea Durgotsav
Bay Basi
Agomoni
pashchimi, Prabasi,
Bengal Club of bay Area
Sanskriti, Fog, Silicon Valley Sarbojonin,
